Hindustan Zinc Limited, India's largest and the world's second-largest integrated zinc producer, is set to represent India at the XIII International Mine Rescue Competition with India's first all-women mine rescue team.

Organized by the National Mining Agency, Colombia, under the guidance of the International Mines Rescue Body (IMRB), this year's competition will feature over 26 teams. Hindustan Zinc's team marks a historic breakthrough as the first-ever all-women team from India to compete on this prestigious global stage, demonstrating their exceptional rescue skills and expertise.

The competition, held annually in different host countries, involves various rescue drills and tests that simulate critical underground mine rescue scenarios. While Hindustan Zinc has participated in the past, this year's representation by an all-women team sets a new milestone. This seven-member team also holds the distinction of being India's first-ever underground mine rescue team composed entirely of women. They will compete across six categories, including mine rescue drills in both breathing and non-breathing atmospheres, first aid, mining rescue skills, equipment technician tests, and theoretical knowledge evaluations.

Reflecting on this landmark achievement, Arun Misra, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, "We are incredibly proud of our all-women underground mine rescue team, who are set to represent India. This is not only a proud moment for Hindustan Zinc but also for the country. Their participation highlights our ongoing commitment to gender diversity and parity, ensuring equal representation and opportunities across all levels. This team's journey exemplifies the resilience, strength, and expertise of women in every aspect of our workforce, and we believe their presence on the global stage will inspire more women to pursue careers in such fields."

Sharing her enthusiasm at the start of the competition, Sandhya Rasakatla, a member of the mine rescue team and India's first underground woman mine manager, said, "It is a proud feeling to participate in this prestigious event and represent the country on a global stage. The endless learning opportunities at Hindustan Zinc have enabled me to push my limits, and this competition will give me a chance to compete with the best of the best." Sandhya Singh, another member of the team, added, "I'm very excited to participate in this competition and represent India internationally. This event will enhance my skillset in rescue operations. I'm thankful for Hindustan Zinc's industry-first initiatives, which have created new learning opportunities and growth prospects for women in mining."

As an equal-opportunity employer, Hindustan Zinc believes that a diverse workforce is key to high performance. This belief is reflected in their workforce, with nearly 22% female representation in executive roles and a remarkable 54% of female engineers in executive positions.